Media

Burke to Sponsor Team at TCS New York City Marathon

Published
October 6, 2015

At the 45th annual TCS New York City Marathon on November 1, a team of runners will be putting sneakers to pavement to help raise money for the lower limb robotics program at Burke Medical Research Institute.

The robotics program, which is conducted at BMRI’s Restorative Neurology Clinic, helps patients who have difficulty walking due to stroke or brain injury, as these conditions often cause paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. Robotic therapy offers repetitious movement, which is important for motor recovery after a neurological injury or illness. The lower extremity robots will help patients with targeted therapy to improve their gait, balance and overall endurance, further aiding in their recovery.

The 2015 Marathon team is made up of friends of Brad Berman, a Larchmont resident and former Burke patient—and Burke award honoree— who experienced a stroke in 2013. Brad, a father of two and a marathon runner himself, was just 37 when he was rushed to the emergency room and underwent surgery for what was diagnosed as a massive hemorrhagic stroke.

The family learned later that Brad had an AVM (arteriovenous malformation), a congenital malformation of blood vessels, which had ruptured. Brad was in a coma for more than a month and once he woke up, had to re-learn how to walk and talk. After spending 4 months in the hospital, including time as an inpatient at Burke, Brad went home to be with his family. Today, he continues to receive outpatient care at Burke, where he regularly uses the robotic devices.

Brad and his wife, Jessica, started the Train the Brain movement, through which the funds will be raised. The organization works to raise awareness about brain injury, promote brain health through exercise, and raise money for research and treatment on brain repair.

“Burke has partnered with Brad and Jessica Berman through the Train the Brain movement, which was started after Brad suffered a stroke at an early age. Now, two years later, they continue to support Burke’s programs and services, including raising money for the lower limb robotics program,” said Richard Sgaglio, Ph.D., Senior Administrator of Marketing, Communications & Development at Burke. “The lower extremity robotics program has been a game-changing addition to the Restorative Neurology Clinic and

If you are interested in supporting the team or would like to read more about and sponsor an individual runner, click here.

Subscribe to Burke's Newsletter

Keep up with the latest news about Burke by signing up for our newsletter.